Have your say…
Do you think the construction of St David’s two has had a positive effect on the shopping experience in Cardiff?
Karen Alaway, 51, office administrator, Whitchurch
“Yes definitely. Every time I go in there the place is full of people, plus it is attracting different shops to Cardiff which can only be a good thing.”
Michael Steer, 21, sales assistant, Penarth
“Working on Queen Street I have noticed a drop in the number of people coming into the shop. St David’s is attracting people to town but I’m not sure if the benefits reach outside the shopping centre itself.”
Rachel Thompson, 22, hairdresser, Bristol
“I’ve come to Cardiff today to go shopping with friends. St David’s centre is a big draw in my opinion; well it has worked on us anyway.”
John Norton, 69, retired, Cardiff
“I think Cardiff is lucky because it has the benefit of being largely pedestrianised and the centre is located right in the middle of town. However, I imagine the centre is bad news for local Cardiff shops that may be losing out on customers to the big retail companies the centre attracts.”
Jake Williams, 24, sales assistant, Cardiff
“Yes I think the centre is a positive even though I personally don’t go there much anymore when shopping in Cardiff, I mostly stick to the shops along Queen Street as I prefer those.”
Sarah Price, 36, fitness instructor, Bath
“I’m out shopping today with my niece who is in University here and she absolutely loves the centre. Since the last time I came to Cardiff I have noticed shops are moving to be closer to the new centre though, the Capitol centre for example is far quieter now than it used to be which is definitely not a positive.”
Kim Ellis, 48, retail manager, Cardiff
“Even though I work in Cardiff I’ve never actually been into St David’s shopping centre. I do most of my shopping online, so for me personally the centre hasn’t changed anything.”
St David’s two celebrates its three year anniversary this week but after an initial positive impact is the centre still benefiting the shopping experience in Cardiff?
The 675 million pound extension, which opened on the 22nd of October 2009, attracted 20 million people through its doors in its first six months of trading; helping to establish Cardiff as one of the UK’s top shopping spots.
But despite this positive initial impact some smaller businesses around Cardiff are expressing concerns about the benefits the centre has on the city as a whole.
A business owner in the Morgan Arcade, who asked to remain nameless stated, “I think St David’s has actually had a detrimental effect in terms of sales for Local businesses, with many starting to suffer and decline.”
Have your say…
Do you think the construction of St David’s two has had a positive effect on the shopping experience in Cardiff?
Karen Alaway, 51, office administrator, Whitchurch
“Yes definitely. Every time I go in there the place is full of people, plus it is attracting different shops to Cardiff which can only be a good thing.”
Michael Steer, 21, sales assistant, Penarth
“Working on Queen Street I have noticed a drop in the number of people coming into the shop. St David’s is attracting people to town but I’m not sure if the benefits reach outside the shopping centre itself.”
Rachel Thompson, 22, hairdresser, Bristol
“I’ve come to Cardiff today to go shopping with friends. St David’s centre is a big draw in my opinion; well it has worked on us anyway.”
John Norton, 69, retired, Cardiff
“I think Cardiff is lucky because it has the benefit of being largely pedestrianised and the centre is located right in the middle of town. However, I imagine the centre is bad news for local Cardiff shops that may be losing out on customers to the big retail companies the centre attracts.”
Jake Williams, 24, sales assistant, Cardiff
“Yes I think the centre is a positive even though I personally don’t go there much anymore when shopping in Cardiff, I mostly stick to the shops along Queen Street as I prefer those.”
Sarah Price, 36, fitness instructor, Bath
“I’m out shopping today with my niece who is in University here and she absolutely loves the centre. Since the last time I came to Cardiff I have noticed shops are moving to be closer to the new centre though, the Capitol centre for example is far quieter now than it used to be which is definitely not a positive.”
Kim Ellis, 48, retail manager, Cardiff
“Even though I work in Cardiff I’ve never actually been into St David’s shopping centre. I do most of my shopping online, so for me personally the centre hasn’t changed anything.”